The commission that has been established by President Adama Barrow to probe the bloody Faraba riot that resulted to the death of three people has compiled its findings to be submitted to the president.
The chairperson of the commission, Emmanuel Daniel Joof, said a total of 85 witnesses testified before the Commission within their month inquiry.
Below is the entire statement issued on Tuesday:
This is to inform the general public that the Faraba Bantang Commission of Inquiry concluded its on Monday 27th August 2018. The report containing the findings and recommendations of the Commission has been printed and the official handing over of the report to the President will be announced by the Office of the President.
If you may recall, His Excellency President Adama Barrow instituted an independent Commission of Inquiry on 1st July 2018 and appointed Emmanuel Daniel Joof, Neneh MC Cham, Abdoulie Colley, Omar Cham and Yusupha Jallow as Commissioners and Mr Chalis Njai as Secretary to the Commission to investigate the tragic events that took place in Faraba Banta on the 18th June 2018 leading to the loss of lives of 3 civilians, injuries to civilians and Police Intervention Unit (PIU) personnel and large-scale destruction of properties and to provide recommendations in order to avoid future recurrence of such events in the country and to recommend ways improving police duties and police crowd control capabilities.
The Commission conducted its sitting at the Atlantic Hotel, Banjul and also at Faraba Banta. Field visits were also conducted to Sanyang and Gunjur respectively. A total of 85 witnesses testified before the Commission. The Commission also interviewed and consulted members of civil society organization and individuals who although not witnesses to the events on 18th June 2018, were however considered knowledgeable and or conversant with the issues and related matters being investigated in order to assist the Commission reach an informed decision. The Commission summoned both Gambia Radio and Television Services (GRTS) and Quantum Television (QTV) to provide DVD CD video footages of the incident recorded in Faraba Banta on the 18th June 2018 by their cameramen and reporters to assist the Commission with their fact finding.
The Commission would especially like to thank the people of Faraba Banta who cooperated with the Commission by voluntarily appearing to give their testimonies of the events that led to the stand-off and an account of what happened in Faraba Banta on that fateful day. Our gratitude also goes to the people of Sanyang and Gunjur who welcomed the Commission during its field visits and had frank discussions regarding environmental, land, and other contentious issues affecting their communities and livelihoods
Signed
Emmanuel Daniel Joof
Chairman Faraba Banta Commission
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